Page 12 of The Truth about the Rogue
“Exactly.” Andrew let out a hiss of breath, realizing now just how childish and foolish he had been. “I insisted upon paying for the book and she turned around and spoke both harshly and directly, telling the shopkeeper what it was that I had come to do in his establishment.”
“And, I presume, she did not let you purchase the book for her?” Lord Glenfield asked, his lips tugging into a wide smile, despite Andrew’s mortification. “My dear friend, you did not behave well, I must say! Rogue you are, yes, but you have never been rude.”
Andrew closed his eyes for a moment, wishing that the sense of mortification would pass.
“I am aware that I did not respond well, Glenfield. But the deed is done and now I find myself here, eager to write another poem in the sole hope that she might findthisone to be better than the others.”
His friend blinked.
“You would take her lack of interest in your work and use it to push you to write again?”
“I would write regardless,” Andrew clarified, knowing he could be truthful with his friend, even if Lord Glenfield did not truly understand. The fellow had only written a few letters in his life thus far and had no interest in either writing or reading poetry. “It was your suggestion that I write to The London Chronicle and, given that this first poem has been so eagerly accepted, I feel it is almost my duty to provide them with another!”
His friend took a sip of his brandy, swirling the remainder of it in his glass.
“But her appreciation for poetry other than your own is your steering force?”
Andrew did not answer, a little surprised at the fire which had sprung up within his heart, ever since his conversation withthe lady. Instead, he shrugged lightly and then turned away on the pretext of pouring more brandy.
“Might I ask what this young lady’s name is?” his friend asked, coming over with him, his glass at the ready. “I think I must meet her, given the influence she has had upon you.”
“There is no influence, only irritation,” Andrew replied, pouring himself a good measure before doing the same for his friend. “And as for her name, I have very little idea.”
Lord Glenfield’s expression filled with surprise.
“You are not acquainted with her?”
“No, I am not.”
“And you did not think to ask her at the time?”
Andrew shrugged.
“I am a rogue, am I not? What care I for propriety?”
With a chuckle, Lord Glenfield lifted his glass to his lips and took a sip.
“Then you will simply have to point her out to me so that I can do the proper thing and make certain that we are correctly introduced.”
A slight frown pulled at Andrew’s forehead.
“For what purpose?”
“Well, I am looking to make a match this Season, am I not?” his friend replied, as something heavy dropped into Andrew’s stomach. “This young lady sounds tenacious and determined, and I do see the value in that.” His eyebrow lifted. “Pretty?”
Thinking back to when he had first seen the lady, Andrew’s lips pulled flat. He did not want to admit to his friend that yes, he had found the lady pretty but yet, there had been a hint of gold in her fair curls and her blue eyes had been very striking indeed.
“I suppose that I would say so.”
“Capital! Then I look forward to being introduced to her,” Lord Glenfield grinned, lifting his glass as though he weretoasting Andrew. “Mayhap we shall see her again at the ball this evening.”
“Mayhap we shall.”
Andrew muttered the words, failing to find even the smallest amount of either interest or happiness in the idea. At least, he considered, as the conversation turned to other things, if she was at the ball, then he would know her name, and that was something, at least.
“Do you see her?”
Andrew winced as Lord Glenfield hissed into his ear.
